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Flesh: meaning, definitions and examples

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flesh

 

[flɛʃ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

human body

The soft substance consisting of muscle and fat that is found between the skin and bones of a human or an animal.

Synonyms

meat, muscle, tissue.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
flesh

Used to refer to the soft tissue of a human or animal body. Often used in literature or medical contexts.

  • The wound cut deep into the flesh
  • The fruit's flesh is juicy and sweet
muscle

Describes the bodily tissue that can contract and produce movement. Used in medical, fitness, and anatomy contexts.

  • He has strong muscles from lifting weights
  • The doctor checked his muscle strength
tissue

A general term for any material made of cells, including muscle tissue, connective tissue, and plant tissue. Often used in scientific and medical contexts.

  • The biopsy showed abnormal tissue growth
  • Plant tissue can be studied under a microscope
meat

Refers to the edible parts of animals, primarily used in the context of food and cooking.

  • We had grilled meat for dinner
  • The market sells fresh meat every day

Examples of usage

  • The flesh of a ripe peach is sweet and juicy.
  • The butcher carefully trimmed away the excess fat from the flesh of the meat.
Context #2 | Verb

to remove skin or flesh from an animal or fruit

To remove the skin or flesh from an animal or fruit, typically as a preparation for consumption.

Examples of usage

  • He deftly fleshed the fish before cooking it.
  • She carefully fleshed the mango to extract the juicy fruit.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Old English 'flesc,' which means meat or the soft parts of living beings.
  • Related words in other languages, like Latin 'caro' and Greek 'sarx,' also refer to soft tissue or meat.
  • The term has evolved over centuries, initially referring primarily to the body's soft tissue in both people and animals.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, flesh is often symbolically associated with life and vitality, representing our physical existence.
  • Rituals involving sacrifice sometimes emphasize the idea of flesh, linking it to concepts of sustenance and the sacred.
  • Art and literature frequently explore themes of flesh, depicting the human condition, mortality, and desire.

Biological Perspective

  • Flesh is primarily composed of muscle and connective tissue, which are crucial for movement and support in animals.
  • It plays a vital role in protecting internal organs and maintaining body temperature.
  • Different types of flesh have various properties; for instance, muscle flesh is more active compared to the fat tissue beneath.

Psychological Aspects

  • The relationship between mind and flesh raises philosophical questions about body image and identity.
  • Many psychological studies focus on how perceptions of one’s flesh affect self-esteem and emotional well-being.
  • The idea of 'flesh' can evoke feelings of vulnerability, highlighting the connection between physical frailty and psychological resilience.

In Literature

  • Fiction often explores the struggles and experiences of characters through their physicality, using 'flesh' as a metaphor for human experience.
  • Poets and novelists use imagery of flesh to evoke beauty, decay, and the passage of time, reflecting on mortality.
  • Some works of fiction explore the notion of flesh versus spirit, examining the tension between physical desires and higher aspirations.

Translations

Translations of the word "flesh" in other languages:

🇵🇹 carne

🇮🇳 मांस

🇩🇪 Fleisch

🇮🇩 daging

🇺🇦 м'ясо

🇵🇱 mięso

🇯🇵 肉 (にく)

🇫🇷 chair

🇪🇸 carne

🇹🇷 et

🇰🇷 고기

🇸🇦 لحم

🇨🇿 maso

🇸🇰 mäso

🇨🇳 肉 (ròu)

🇸🇮 meso

🇮🇸 kjöt

🇰🇿 ет

🇬🇪 ხორცი

🇦🇿 ət

🇲🇽 carne

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,089, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.